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Naked Lunch (1991) 6.9
Ratings:
6.9/10 from 23,732 users
Metascore: 67/100
Reviews: 131 user | 100 critic | 16 from Metacritic.com After developing an addiction to the substance he uses to kill bugs, an exterminator accidentally murders his wife and becomes involved in a secret government plot being orchestrated by giant bugs in a port town in North Africa. Director:David Cronenberg |
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Title: Naked Lunch (1991)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Peter Weller | ... | ||
| Judy Davis | ... | ||
| Ian Holm | ... | ||
| Julian Sands | ... | ||
| Roy Scheider | ... | ||
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Monique Mercure | ... | |
| Nicholas Campbell | ... | ||
| Michael Zelniker | ... | ||
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Robert A. Silverman | ... | |
| Joseph Scoren | ... |
Kiki
(as Joseph Scorsiani)
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Peter Boretski | ... |
Creature Voices /
Exterminator #2
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Yuval Daniel | ... | |
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John Friesen | ... | |
| Sean McCann | ... | ||
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Howard Jerome | ... | |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Not an adaptation of beat writer William S. Burrough's novel but a mix of biography and an interpretation of his drug- induced writing processes combined with elements of his work in this paranoid fantasy about Bill Lee, a writer who accidentally shoots his wife, whose typewriter transforms into a cockroach and who becomes involved in a mysterious plot in North African port called Interzone. Wonderfully bizarre, not unlike Burrough's books. Written by Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
Taglines:
Exterminate all rational thought. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for heavy drug content, bizarre eroticism, and language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
24 April 1992 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
El almuerzo desnudo See more »Filming Locations:
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaBox Office
Budget:
$16,000,000 (estimated)Gross:
$2,541,541 (USA)Company Credits
Production Co:
Film Trustees Ltd., Naked Lunch Productions, Nippon Film Development and Finance See more »
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Composed by Ornette Coleman
Performed by The Ornette Coleman Trio
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The shooting of the author's wife is not a fictional incident. William S. Burroughs did indeed accidentally shoot his wife Joan in the head in 1951 in Mexico in a "William Tell" stunt that went disastrously wrong. Mexican law at the time meant that Burroughs only served 13 days in prison for killing his wife. See more »Soundtracks
"Bugpowder"Composed by Ornette Coleman
Performed by The Ornette Coleman Trio
See more »
Mmmmm.... mugwump jizz
Themes: Substance addiction and how physically self-conscious it makes our protagonist feel, the creativity forced by imprisonment (a direct reference to real-life events between Burroughs, his wife, his subsequent incarceration and his heroin/acid issues), the sense of betrayal as more surprise than malice and of course the inevitable interface between Dave and Bill at the pelvic level.
The effects work is pre render-mation latex and sufficiently restrained to allow your imagination to back-fill the appropriate horror/fascination/titillation for the moment. Don't try to figure out which you =should= feel or to mentally sort it out, that'd rob you of the fun; it's the psychic and emotional disarray that makes it so compelling.
Peter Weller is suitably deadpan, allowing only a sparkle of the playful poet to shine through from time to time (the story about the Duke du Vantra's Espano-Suiza made me howl); he must have spent a few =fun= hours with Burroughs himself to get the role down.
If you liked Cronenburg's smarter stuff, such as Dead Ringers, you'll love this. If you've read Kerouac, Ginsberg or Burroughs in particular, I promise you'll love it. If you're not into exploratory literature, have issues with distasteful realities of poverty or have a personal affection for the quality works of Stallone, Willis and Schwarzenegger - you'll hate it.
It made a very strong impression on me; the day after I saw the opening night of Naked Lunch (long before the "internet"), I established and sysoped a BBS that was the primary alternative discussion forum for onliners in Edmonton, Alberta for several years. It's name? The Interzone.
The movie is fascinating, odd, reveals more on second viewing, and is faithful neither to Cronenburg nor Burroughs but an excellent mix of elements of both.
It has a great beat, easy to dance to... I give it an 89, Dick.
Either way, you won't look at a typewriter the same way ever again.